Gas-regulator.



J. R. RICKETTS.

GAS REGULATOR. APPLLQATION FILED 11116.14, 1912.

J. R. RIGKETTS.

GAS REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I4, 1912.

1,058, 102, Patented Apr. 8, 1913.

2 SEEETS*SHEBT 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE.

JAMES B. RICKETTS, OF LOS ANGELES. CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNOR TO PERFECTION GAS REGULATOR COMPANY, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 0F CALI- FOBNIA.

To a?? u-zom if may concern and State of California, have invented new\ and useful Improvements in Gas-Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gas regulators whereby the pressure or head of gas provided at the point of consumption may be controlled. automatically, and be maintained even and constant as predetermined.

The present invention constitutes in certain of its aspects a further development of. a departure from or modification or iinprovement. with relation to the invention constituting the subject-matter of a prior application for United States Letters Pat.- ent for gas regulators filed by me May 2S, 1912. Serial No. 700.228.

The present invention has for its object to provide improvements in gas regulators which will be superior in point. of relative simplicity and inexpensiveness in construction and organization. combined with positiveness and reliabilityr and etiiciency in service and sensitive responsiveness to variations in working conditions.

Further particular objects of the invention are the provision of an improved gas regulator which will operate for long periods of time without requiring attention or repair, which will not stiien up or lose its responsiveness to variations in working conditions. and the installation and connect-ion or disconnection of which from the main and service pipes will be attended with convenience and capable of speedy performance.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel provision, formation, construction. combination. association and relative arrangement of parts, members and features. all as hereinafter described. shown in the drawings. and `finally pointed out in claims.

In the drawingsz-Figure 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view. parts being in elevation. of a gas regulator constructed and f organized in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view, l

taken upon the lines .r2- m2, Fig. 1. and looking in the direction of the appended arrow;

Specication of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 14, 1912.

vGrAS-REGULAT0R.

Patented Apr. 8, 1913.

serial No. 715,050.

gas regulator, parts being in section and parts being broken away for clearness of illustration. the showing being upon a diminished scale: and, Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view. partlyvv iii elevation, takenupon the line Xt--i 4, Fig. 3.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same reference characters. Referring with particularity to the drawings, the improved regulator comprises a vcasing A within which is held a transverse diaphragm B. the casing A preferably comprising a circular top member 6 and a circular bottom member 7 detachably joined by co-engaging edge flanges 8. the diaphragm B being gripped and held'at its edges be tween such flanges. A circular cupped weight 9 rests upon the upper surface z of the diaphragm and is Iclamped to the diaphragm by a disk or plate 10 beneath the diaphragm and from which depends 'a bracket 11 ranging downwardly within a radial extension 12 of the bottom casing member 7, at the outer end of which extension is a detachable fitting C with which are connected a gas main pipe 13 and a service pipe 1i.

The weight 9 and plate 10 are jointly clamped to the diaphragm B by a machine screw 16,' at the center of said weight and plate centrally of the casing A. The top member 6 of the casing A is provided with an upwardly projecting centrally disposed nipple 1T interiorly threadedl as at- 18, and intowhich is threaded a perforated plug 19, through which is centrally passed a tube 20 projecting beneath thel plug and serving as a centering for a compression coil spring 21, one end of which is inserted in the tube 20 and the other end of which passes through an eye 22 in the head of the connections constituting compression means D acting upon the diaphragm B. The cupped weight 9 is provided with a plurality of ports 23 in its edgewalls opening in- |wardly just above the flat body of the gweight. such edge walls being upwardly curved* from the flat body; and oil may be introduced to the upper surface of the weight 9 through the tube 20 and will flow across the upper surface of the liveight and i then through the ports 23 and out onto the Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the improvedY machine screw 16, such spring 21 and its` diaphragm B at its marginal portions b,

' preserving the'lexibility thereof andthe diaphragm. The -tube 20 also serves as a vent to allow air to enter and escape from I the chamber within the casing A above the diaphragm B, in compensation for fall and rise of the diaphragm.

The bracket 11 consists of a'downwardly projecting open loop or stirrup having straight top side portions 11a received 1n channels or ways 24 in the side walls of theV casing extension l2, and serving to 'confine thebracket to a path of vertical play. Furthermore, when the weight 9 is connected with the disk 10 by the screw 16, the ways 24 'keep the bracket 11 from turning, permitting the screw to be effectively threaded in connection with the disk 10v which carries 'the bracket 11.

The gas pipes 13 and 14are threaded re# spectively in alined nipples 25 and 26 forming part of the fitting C and are readily attached to and disconnected from said nipples. Gas feed control -means E regulate Dthe iiow of gas from the nipple 25 to the casing A beneath the diaphragm B, through the casingQ'eXtension 12; and the gas subsequently flows from such chamber beneath the diaph'ragmcB to thenipple 26 and the service pipe 14 unde'r automatically regulated pressure. The gas feed control means E are operatively connected with the dia` phragm B' through the bracket 11,V which bracket rises and falls with the diaphragm in accordance with variations of gaseous pressure beneath the diaphragm. The/'gas feed control means are entirely ymounted in connection with the fitting C, whichcomprises atubular body 27 with which the nipples 25 and 26 communicate, said body being closed at the outer' end 28, and Yat the opposite end being open and provided with arim flange 29 which is detachably con nected witha matched Bange 30 at the outer Vend of the radial casing extension 12, by

nut and bolt devices 31 or the like., suitable gasket 32 is interposed between the flanges 29 and 30. The nipple 26 unobstructdly communicatesowith the interior of the' tubular fitting body 27; but at the inner end of the nipple 25 is provided an annular Iiange providing a port within which is threaded a plug 34, comprlsed within the gas feed controlmeans E, the further organization of whichis as follows The p1ug34 is provided with a gas port '35 and 1s crowned, as'at 36, to forma valve seat which, with a valve head 37, are comprised within valve means e. The valve head 37 ,is provided with' a compressible facing 38 which is set into the valve head, flanged to receive it, and is presented to the upper orifice of the gas Aport 35. The valve head 37 Jis yieldingly suspended from a leaf spring 3.9 by a neck 40 which is of irregular form and passes through an opening 41 of similar though larger irregular form, inmthe leaf spring "39, adjacent to the outer end thereof, the material ofthe neck 40 beingV upset to form a head 42 above the leafspring 39 to hold the valve head to the leaf spring; and the conformations and proportions of the neck 40 and opening 41 are such as to permit the valve head to oscillate or to have a limited degree lof play` pendant from the leaf spring 39, but to prevent turning of the neck within ,theA opening. This free play permits t-he valve head or the facing 38 thereof to s eat truly and accurately upon the crown 36 of the plug 34 and to close the gas port 35 in such plug. `The inner end of the leaf spring 39 is secured to the lower end of an'voscillating arm 43, as at 44, such4 arm being pivotally supported adjacent to the end at which the leaf spring 39 is mounted thereon, upon a pin or shaft 45 passed transversely through the walls of the fitting body 27 and through spaced cheeks 46 upon the arm 43. The forward end of the arm 43 is received loosely within the bracket 11; and the rearward end,be yond the shaft 45, ispformed into' a stop` finger 47. which is normally disposed 95 slightly beneath a stop shoulder 48 formed in theouter end of the fitting body 27. Pivotallyy mounted upon the shaft 45 between the cheeks 46, and intermediate of its ends, is a regulating arm 49 provided with 100 :if/depending head 50' through which the 'gs'haft 45 passes, the upper surface of the arm 43 being recessed to receive such head. The rearward end of the regulating arm 49 is provided with a depending linger 51 pass- 105 ing freely through an opening 52 in the arm 43 and having a -rounded terminal portion whichvhas rolling contact with the rounded upperheaded endl 42 of the neck 40. The' forward end of the regulating arm 49 car- 110 ries a threaded pin 53 the lower end of which rests upon the arm 43, and the upper end of which is preferably slotted trans- Versely as at 54 to receive a screw driver or i' similar implement passed through a registering hole 55 in the top member 6 of the casing A. and normally closed by a threaded plug 56. The operation, method of use and advantages of the improved gas regulator constituting the invention'will be readily under-`r stood from the foregoing description, takeny in connection with the accompanying drawings and the following statement :-The spring 21 is put under the proper compres- 125 sion, by manipulating the screw plu 19, to cause the diaphragm to hold the bracket l1 at the proper elevation, and consequently l to hold the arm 43 at such elevation that the valve 'means e will permit gas to enter the 130 space beneath the diaphragm, through the port 35, and to flow to the nipple :'26, when the proper pressure exists in the service pipe. If a higher pressure is required, the spring 21 is put under greater compression; and if a lower pressure is desired such springl is put under a lesser compression, the pressure of gas beneath the diaphragmv acting at all times to elevate the diaphragm and the weight 9 thereon against the compression of the spring 21, all as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art concerned or familiar with such apparatus. During the existence of such proper predetermined pressure, the bracket 11 holds the arm 43 in such position that the valve head 37 is spaced slightly from the orifice of the gas port 35 through the plug 34 at the upper end of the nipple 25, thus permitting gas to traverse the port 35 and enter the chamber beneath the diaphragm. If for any reason the pressure in the gas main so increases that an undue pressure is set up beneath the diaphragm, and an undue service pressure is produced, the diaphragm rises, swings the arm 43 upwardly and brings the valve head 37 down upon the orifice of the port 35, effectually closing such passage, the compressible facing 38 truly seating upon the crown 36 constituting the valve seat, t0 which end the valve head 37 may slightly oscillate in its connection with the leaf sprin 39. As soon as the pressure falls slightly beneath the diaphragm, the arm 43 at its longer forward end swings downwardly by gravity, the valve head 37 rises slightly from the crown or valve seat 36, and further gas is i admitted beneath the diaphragm and to the service pipe 14. Usually only slight fluctuations occur in the pressure within the mains, and such slight variations will cause only slight elevation and depression of the diaphragm, resultantly spacing the valve head 37 less far or farther from the orifice of the port 35, so regulating the flow of gas that as the pressure in the main diminishes more gas can enter the chamber beneath the diaphragm, and as the pressure increases less gas enters the space beneath the diaphragm. The pressure in the chamber beneath the diaphragm is thus kept constant, in accordance with the standards set by the degree of compression of the spring 21 which opposes rising and assists depression of the diaphragm and of the weight 9 thereon.` The stop finger 4.7 prevents the arm 43 from swinging downwardly toofar at its forward end, thus assisting in assemblin the fitting with the gas feed control means in connection with the casing A, so; that the arm 43 readily passes through th'e bracket 11. The fitting C, with the gas feed control means including the arm 43, are readily detached from the .casi-ng A and attached thereto; and when the main pipe 13 and the service pipe 14 are connected with the fitting C, the casing A and the contents thereofV are readily detached from the fitting C with The normal spacing of the valve head 37v from the crown or seat 36 is determined by the adjustment of the regulating arm 49, pivotally, upon the pin or shaft 45 upon which it oscillates. To bring the valve head normally closer to its seat, and permit less gas for a time unit to pass through the port 35, the threaded pin 53 vis screwed down farther through the arm 49, at the end remote from the finger 51, forcing down the finger, normally in contact with the head 42 of the neck of the valve head,'and depressing the valve head against' the tension of the yleaf spring 39 upon which it is mounted. To produce opposite results, when the valve head is thus depressed under flexion of the leaf spring 39, the threaded pin 53 is turned to cause its elevation, the leaf spring 39 straightening out and carrying upwardly at its free end the head 37. rlhe amount of gas to normallyl enter the regulator, at given pressure, may thus be predetermined,

g 'and such predeterminat-ion may be taken into calculation jointly with the predetermination of the compression ofthe spring 21 so that the flow of gas passing through the regulator, at a given pressure, may be predetermined in accordance with the requirements of service supplied by the service pipe 14. The threaded plug 56 normally completely stops the hole 55 in the casing above the threaded pin 53, preventing leakage; but, when withdrawn, a suitable im-V plement is readily introduced to the threaded pin.

The lubricating oil introduced to the upper surface of the cupped weight v9 flows in all directions thereupon to the openings 23 through which it spreads to the leather or other diaphragm B, at the marginal portions b thereof, keeping the same soft and pliable and delicately responsive to variations of gaseous pressure beneath the diaphra The entire apparatus is relatively simple and inexpensive in organization, when its features of advantage and superiority are considered; and in use it reliably, and for long periods of time, keeps constant the pressure of gas taken from the main or branch main and conducted to the service pipe Ifrom which it is taken for consumption. I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the particular construction, formation, organization, combination, relative arrangement and association of parts,`

members and features shown and described; but reserve the right to vary the same, in adapting the improvement to varying conditions of use, without departing from the spirit of the invention and the terms of the following claims.-

Having thus described my invention, I claim' and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1.`A gas regulator, comprising a casingV `provided with a diaphragm spanning the same, means for introducing gas to and withdrawing gas from a chamber confined in part by the diaphragm, and a weight upon the 'diaphragm and provided with a pierced marginal portion.

2. A gas regulator, comprising a casing provided with a .diaphragm spanning the same, means for introducing' gas to and withdrawing gas from a chamber confined in part by the diaphragm, and a weight upon the diahragm and provided with a pierced upstaiiding marginal portion.

3. In agas regulator a casing, a diaphragmspanning the casing, and a .cupped weight upon the diaphragm and provided with a perforation whereby liquid introduced thereto may pass therefrom to the diaphragm.

4. A gas regulator, comprising acasing, a diaphragm spanning the casing, there heing a gas port through which gas has access to the casing to a. chamber confined in part by the diaphragm, an oscillating arm one end of whichco-acts with the diaphragm, a leaf spring connected with the oscillating arm, a valve head carried upon a free end of the leaf spring adjacent to the other end of the oscillating arm and normally spaced from and arranged to seat` to close said Agas port, a regulating arm mounted upon said oscillating arm and co-acting with said valve head aty one end, and adjusting means at the other end of said regulating arm whereby the normal spacing of said valve head from the orifice of said gasport may be predetermined.

5. A gas regulator, comprising a casing, a

diaphragm s anning the casing, there being.

a gas port t rough which gas has access to the casing to a chamber confined in part by the diaphragm, an oscillating arm on end` of which co-acts with the diaphragm, a leaf spring connected with the oscillating arm, a

valve head carried upon a free end of the leaf spring adjacent to the other end of the oscillating arm and normally spaced from and arranged to seat to close said gas port, a regulating arm mounted upon said oscillating arm and co-actqing with said valve head at oneend, and adjusting means at they other end of said regu ating arm whereby the normal spacing of said Valve head fromV the orifice of said as port may predetermined, said regu ating arm having a deone end of which co-actswith the dia` phragm, a leaf spring connected with the oscillating arm, a valve head carried upon a free end of the leaf spring adjacent to the otherl end of the oscillating arm and normally spaced from and arranged to seat to close said gas port, a regulating arm mounted upon said oscillating arm and co-acting with said valve head at oneend, and adjusting means at the other end of said regulating arm whereby the normal spacing of said valve head from the orifice of said as port may be predetermined, said regulating arm having a depending finger passing through an opening in the oscillating 'arm and which co-engages with said valvehead; said oscillating arm and said regulating arm having a common center of oscillation.

7. A gas regulator, comprising a casing,

a diaphragm spanning the casing, there being a gas port through which gas has access to the casing to 'a chamber confined in part by the diaphragm, an oscillating arm one end of which co-acts with the diaphragm, a leaf spring connected with the oscillating arm, a valve head carried upon a free end of the leaf spring adjacent to the otherv end of the oscillating arin and normally -spaced Y from and arranged to seat to close said gas port, a regulating arm mounted upon said' oscillating arm and co-actirig with-said valve head at one end, and adjusting means at the other end of said regulating arm whereby the normal spacing of said valve head from the orifice of said gas port may be predetermined, said oscillating arm and said regulating arm having a common center of oscillation.

8. gas regulator, comprising a casing, a diaphragm spanning the casing, there being a gas port through which gas has access to the casing to a chamber confined in part by the diaphragm, an oscillating arm one end of which co-acts with the diaphragm, a leaf spring connected with the oscillating arm, `a valve head carried upon a vfree end of the leaf spring-adjacent to the other end of the oscillating arm and normally spaced from and arranged to seat to close said gas port, a. regulating -arm mounted upon said oscillating arm and co-acting with said valve head at one end, and adjusting means at the other end of said regulating arm whereby the normal spacin of said valve head from the orifice of sai gas port may be predetermined, said regulating arm'having a depending nger passing through an opening in the oscillating arm and which co-engages with said valve head, said valve head and said finger' having co-engaging rounded surfaces producing a rolling contact.

9: A gas regulator, comprising a casing, a diaphragm spanning the casing, there being a gas port through which gas has access to the casing to a chamber confined in part b v the diaphragm. an oscillating arm one end of which co-acts with the diaphragm, a leaf spring connected with the oscillating arm. a valve head carried upon a free end of the leaf spring adjacent to the other end of the oscillating arm and normally spaced from and arranged to seat to close said gas port. a regulating arm mounted upon said oscillating arm and co-acting with said valve head at one end. and adjusting means at the other end of said regulating arm whereby the normal spacing of said valve head from the orifice of' said gas port may be predetermined. said regulating arm having a depending finger passing through an opening in the oscillating arm and which co-engages with said valve head. said valve head and said finger having co-engaging rounded surfaces producing a rolling contact. and said valve head heilig loosely connected with said leaf spring.

l0. A gas regulator, comprising a casinff. a diaphragm spanning the casing. vthere being a gas port through which gas has access to the casing to a chamber confined in part b v the diaphragm. an oscillating arm one end of which co-acts with the diaphragm, a leaf spring connected with the oscillating arm. a valve head carried upon a free end of the leaf spring adjacent to the other end of the oscillating arm and normally spaced from and arranged to seat to close said gas port. a regulating arm mounted upon said oscillating arm and co-acting with said valve head at one end, and adjusting means at the other end of said regulating arm whereby the normal spacing of said valve head from the orifice of said gas port may be predetermined, said casing being provided with an openingdirectly above said adjusting means and provided with a detachable closure.

1l. A gas regulator. comprising a casing, a diaphragm spanning the casing, there being a gas port through which gas has access to the casing to a chamber confined in part by the diaphragm. an oscillating arm one end of which co-acts with the diaphragm, a leaf spring connected with the oscillating arm, a valve head carried upon a free end of the leaf spring adjacent' to the other end of the oscillating arm and normally spaced from and arranged to seat-to close said gas port, a regulating arm mounted upon said oscillating arm and ctr-acting with said valve head at one end. and adjusting means at the other end of said regulating arm whereby the normal spacing of said valve head from the orifice of said gas port may be predetermined. said casing being provided with a detachable fitting in connection with which said oscillatingY arm and said valve head and said regulating arm are mounted and with which the same are jointly detachable from said casing. n

1Q. A gas regulator comprising a caslng, a diaphragm spanning thel casing. there being a gas port through which gas has access to the casing to a chamber confined in part b v the diaphragm. an Aoscillating arm one end of which co-acts with the diaphragm, a valve head normally spaced from and arranged to seat to close said gas port. a regulating arm mounted upon said oscillating arm and co-acting with said valve head at one end. and adjusting means at the other end of said regulating arm whereby1 the normal spacing of said valve head from the orificeof said gas port may be predetermined.

ln testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES R. RICKETTS. Titnesses ALFRED H. DAEHLER', CHARLES D. WERDEN. 

